It was on byutv-you could have simply turned on your
computer to watch the game. I have loved this independence gig because I can
finally watch all the games. Cougs saw some improvement last night, it was nice
to see them make a few 3s. I like having Cusick and Carlino on the court at the
same time (or Winder and Carlino). The perimeter defense was marginally better
last night, and if that can continue we'll be in good shape going into the wcc
tournament. Go cougs!

BYU outshoots Portland 38-10 at the stripe and you
think BYU's defense won the game for us...We were lucky that Portland were far
worse shooters all around than we were...Without the shooting at the line our
defense was outgunned. Let's call a spade a spade...BYU is in a major shooting
slump that has gone on for quite some time.

Couldn't disagree with you more. Cougs had a
school record 18 steals and forced 24 Portland turnovers. That's 24 possession
that the Pilots couldn't get a shot off, and 24 more possessions for BYU to get
to the foul line. The reason we got to the charity stripe so much was because
of our defense.

I've been impressed with the Cougs since the 2nd half
of the St. Mary's game. We've been in a horrible shooting slump, but we've
fought, played aggressive, and have been able to pull out the last couple of
games due to higher energy and better defense.

Once the shots start
falling, I could see the Cougs making a run in the tourney.

TrueCoug I can concede that somehow we are both right to a fair
degree...but only do so knowing that this was by far not a stellar performance.
Portland isn't a team that turns anybody's head and a number of those turnovers
were accomplished all on thier own clumsiness and not by BYU's aggressive
defense...and it should also be mentioned that we also accomplished a fair share
of our own clumsiness turning over the ball as well. Had this been a much
better team out there then Portland, BYU's overall performance whould have
looked even more suspect as well as extremely shaggy. It's easy to overlook
these things while celebrating a victory...dubious as this one was. The shooting
from the field has to improve or the bubble we are definitely sitting on will
burst. There is no way... if we do make the 1st round of the NCAA's... that we
will get to the next round with play and especially FG shooting like what
occurred Saturday Night. Are they capable of doing so much better??? Yes they
are. Will we see them doing so??? Neither you or I can answer that...but I
certainly hope so.

I believe this article is a little gracious on the "report card"
grades. It was a very, very sloppy game on both sides. I'd give the following
grades: Frontcourt- Grade: C; Wings- Grade: D+. Abouo has been MIA of late, and
has made rediculous fouls. Point- Grade: C. Carlino has completly lost his
shooting touch. All he's done the last few games is drive to the basket. I
believe he's forgotten the bigs on the team, in Davies & Hartsock. Overall-
Grade: C. Yes, the Cougs won, but how they can be awarded a "B" is
beyond me. With their turn-overs, fouls and lack of 3-point shooting, they were
a C at best. I think the BYUtv announcers, including Steve Cleveland, would
agree as well. Cleveland was sticking it, rightfully so, to the players during
the broadcast. I found that refreshing. The team is no where near ready for the
NCAA Tourney IF they were selected as an at-large selection.

"I've been impressed with the Cougs since the 2nd
half of the St. Mary's game. We've been in a horrible shooting slump, but we've
fought, played aggressive, and have been able to pull out the last couple of
games due to higher energy and better defense. Once the shots start falling, I
could see the Cougs making a run in the tourney."

It's one thing
to be a fan and support a team, but let's be realistic. The Portland game, let
me repeat Portland, was terrible. The best part was we got the "W",
which is the most important. Our Cougs have done nothing to impress the nat'n
for a possible Tourney bid. We've got to get stronger, more consistent
productivity out of our point. The shooting of the backcourt has been MIA over
the past few games. Strong guard play is critical for tourney play. But I'm now
starting to see where it'll be NIT time, and not NCAA Tourney ime. And you say
you could see them making a run in the tourney? Only time will tell, I guess.